Your event must have a Royal Kennel Club Incident Book available for use at every show. You can obtain an incident book from our online shop for free.
Any incidents or unexpected changes on the day need to be logged in the Incident Book even if no further action is needed.
If event management considers there to be a breach of regulation, then they are duty bound to make a report to the Royal Kennel Club.
Any incidents recorded in the incident book should be reported to the Royal Kennel Club within 14 days of the event.
Examples of incidents and changes
- Dog Bites
- Out of Control Dogs
- Harsh Handling
- Trips or Falls Resulting in Injury
- Change of Judge
- Amendments to Start Times
- Incorrect or Ineligible Entries
- Issues with Judge’s Performance (person reporting must be in attendance at the show)
- Double Handling
- Any Breach of Royal Kennel Club Regulations
Biting incidents
All biting incidents must be reported regardless of how minor they may initially appear. This is true even if those involved do not wish to lodge an objection.
Completing the Incident Book
There are three flow charts included in the front of the Incident Book to assist show managers with the completion of the book and to explain the Royal Kennel Club's procedures.
In order for an incident to be followed up properly and a fair result achieved for everyone involved, it is vital that sufficient details are taken as soon as possible on the day.
Any witnesses should be asked if they would be willing to supply statements.
The following contact details from all parties involved, including witnesses, should be recorded:
- Names
- Addresses
- Telephone Numbers
- Email Addresses
Anonymous reports will not be accepted.
Dog details, including the Royal Kennel Club Registered Name and Number, should be logged if applicable. Without the identity of the dog involved, the incident cannot be investigated.
There are questions asked in the Incident Book that allow the office to determine what action is required. It is vital that you answer all of these questions, to allow the office to investigate the incident in a timely manner.
Submitting the Incident Book
Incident books need to be emailed to activities@royalkennelclub.com within 14 days of the event.
All efforts should be made to resolve the incident on the day, where possible, with all parties involved.
Exhibitors and Competitors
If an issue occurs at an event, you should report it to the secretary who will log it in the Incident Book. You should indicate whether you are noting the incident only and are happy to consider it resolved, or if you wish to lodge an objection.
Whether the incident is resolved at the time or is to be taken further, as much relevant information as possible should be noted in the incident book.
All efforts should be made to resolve the incident on the day, where possible.
Anonymous reports will not be accepted.
Filling in the incident book
In order for an incident to be followed up properly and a fair result achieved for everyone involved, it is obviously vital that sufficient details are taken immediately. Any witnesses should be asked if they would be willing to supply statements.
The best available details from all parties involved should be recorded; names, addresses, telephone or email address. In the case of a dog bite incident, this should include, if possible, details of the person bitten, the dog owner/handler and the identity of the dog in question. Anonymous reports will not be accepted. Every effort should be made to identify the dog(s) involved in a dog bite incident. Without the identity of the dog the incident cannot be investigated, and this is not beneficial for anyone involved in the world of dogs.
There are four questions asked in the Incident Book that allow the office to determine what action is required. It is vital that you answer these questions, particularly the last one, to allow for the office to investigate the incident in a timely manner.